TY - JOUR
T1 - Stress and job satisfaction among medical laboratory professionals in Oman
T2 - A cross-sectional study
AU - Alrawahi, Samira
AU - Sellgren, Stina Fransson
AU - Altouby, Salem
AU - Alwahaibi, Nasar
AU - Brommels, Mats
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/2/15
Y1 - 2024/2/15
N2 - Background: Job satisfaction leads to employees being more productive. However, when the job requirements do not meet the capabilities it will cause stress. Therefore, it is important to define the cause of dissatisfaction to reduce work-induced stress as this has a negative impact on the quality of healthcare services. The literature on stress and satisfaction studying medical laboratory professionals (MLPs) is still limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between stress and job satisfaction factors among MLPs in Omani hospitals, and to quantify a possible correlation between job stress and job satisfaction. Methods: A cross sectional study involved all medical laboratory professionals in eight hospitals in Oman from different geographical areas. A survey instrument measuring job satisfaction was developed from the result of earlier qualitative studies done by the authors in the population of 101 participants. In addition, job stress was assessed using a survey based on the Nurse Stress Index (NSI). Results: The results show a significant statistical association between stress and job satisfaction. Omanis have significantly higher stress scores compared to non-Omani citizens. The youngest MLPs at Omani Hospitals were less satisfied at work and more stressed than their older colleagues. Job satisfaction was lower and job stress higher in the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital than in all the other hospitals. The most important dissatisfaction factors, leading to job stress, are insufficient support for professional development, poor relations with supervisors and co-workers, as well as heavy workload. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of investing in measures to meet the expectations of laboratory staff, to strengthen factors that increase satisfaction and eliminate dissatisfaction factors. It gives concrete advice on what those measures should be and, consequently, guides actions on improving the work environment in medical laboratories. When implemented those would reduce job stress among medical laboratory professionals in Oman, and, possibly, more widely.
AB - Background: Job satisfaction leads to employees being more productive. However, when the job requirements do not meet the capabilities it will cause stress. Therefore, it is important to define the cause of dissatisfaction to reduce work-induced stress as this has a negative impact on the quality of healthcare services. The literature on stress and satisfaction studying medical laboratory professionals (MLPs) is still limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between stress and job satisfaction factors among MLPs in Omani hospitals, and to quantify a possible correlation between job stress and job satisfaction. Methods: A cross sectional study involved all medical laboratory professionals in eight hospitals in Oman from different geographical areas. A survey instrument measuring job satisfaction was developed from the result of earlier qualitative studies done by the authors in the population of 101 participants. In addition, job stress was assessed using a survey based on the Nurse Stress Index (NSI). Results: The results show a significant statistical association between stress and job satisfaction. Omanis have significantly higher stress scores compared to non-Omani citizens. The youngest MLPs at Omani Hospitals were less satisfied at work and more stressed than their older colleagues. Job satisfaction was lower and job stress higher in the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital than in all the other hospitals. The most important dissatisfaction factors, leading to job stress, are insufficient support for professional development, poor relations with supervisors and co-workers, as well as heavy workload. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of investing in measures to meet the expectations of laboratory staff, to strengthen factors that increase satisfaction and eliminate dissatisfaction factors. It gives concrete advice on what those measures should be and, consequently, guides actions on improving the work environment in medical laboratories. When implemented those would reduce job stress among medical laboratory professionals in Oman, and, possibly, more widely.
KW - Job satisfaction
KW - Job stress
KW - Medical laboratory professionals
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85184049885&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85184049885&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/40899a91-a812-3979-9022-66f83b707a70/
U2 - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25456
DO - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25456
M3 - Article
C2 - 38327420
AN - SCOPUS:85184049885
SN - 2405-8440
VL - 10
JO - Heliyon
JF - Heliyon
IS - 3
M1 - e25456
ER -